The Frankenstein Project is a contemporary sculpture by

Tony Stallard Tony Stallard (born 26 August 1958) is an English artist, best known for his large scale public artworks in the United Kingdom and abroad, which utilise bronze, steel and light sculptures for work in the public realm. Biography Stallard studie ...

, located on the

Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside resort in Lancashire, England. Located on the North West England, northwest coast of England, it is the main settlement within the Borough of Blackpool, borough also called Blackpool. The town is by the Irish Sea, betw ...

Promenade in

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

. The work was permanently installed in 2001, and consists of a divers decompression chamber. Inside the chamber is a blue neon light which illuminates the skeletons and

killer whale The orca or killer whale (''Orcinus orca'') is a toothed whale belonging to the oceanic dolphin family, of which it is the largest member. It is the only extant species in the genus ''Orcinus'' and is recognizable by its black-and-white pa ...

skull inside the chamber.

Construction

The Frankenstein Project was executed as part of a four-part art scheme commissioned by Blackpool Council and a number of other art companies at a cost of £500,000, under the name of the Great Promenade Show. Implementation of the piece took six years in total and was Stallard's biggest project to date. Weighing seven tonnes, the piece consists of twenty-four foot long gas tank, donated by

British Gas British Gas (trading as Scottish Gas in Scotland) is an energy and home services provider in the United Kingdom. It is the trading name of British Gas Services Limited and British Gas New Heating Limited, both subsidiaries of Centrica. Serving ...

, with a replica killer whale inside. Portholes on the side of the tank allow visitors to peer inside the illuminated tank.

Controversy

Stallard acknowledged that the piece would invite debate and the piece did indeed draw the most varied critical response. Despite being one of four new features on the promenade, The Frankenstein Project received most reaction. In addition, the sculpture was the victim of persistent vandal attacks which required significant repairs and eventually caused the site of the artwork to be redeveloped and moved back to its location.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Frankenstein Project Outdoor sculptures in England 2001 sculptures Vandalized works of art in the United Kingdom

Construction

Controversy

See also

References